Start of a Global Partnership With the Aim to Install More than 100 Units by the End of the Year in Germany and Other Countries to Help Meet Worldwide Solar Energy Demand

PARIS—June 3, 2013—Less than one year after developing and delivering the first 1,500-VDC ProSolar central inverter technology to solar power plant system integrator BELECTRIC, GE’s Power Conversion (NYSE: GE) business has signed an agreement with the aim to install more than 100 of this type of new and innovative inverter by the end of the year. The agreement represents the first step by the companies to join forces in developing innovative solar solutions for the utility solar market.

The 1,500-VDC ProSolar central inverter helps to decrease system losses and balance of system costs as well as reduce operation and maintenance costs. This inverter technology is based on the GE 1,000-VDC ProSolar inverter solution which runs smoothly in many solar plants since 2009 with more than several hundred megawatts (MW) in total.

Central inverters convert DC power produced by solar panels to AC power, which is vital to making solar power a more economical alternative to fossil fuel technologies. Therewith central inverters are key components of photovoltaic (PV) plants.

“This success highlights GE’s expertise, and we are very pleased to cooperate closely with an innovative company like BELECTRIC”, says Stephan Reimelt, CEO of GE Energy in Germany. “Furthermore, this agreement underpins GE’s commitment to deliver innovative solutions and products that are tailored to the needs of the world and German Industry, also to support the successful implementation of the German ‘Energiewende.’”

BELECTRIC has proven its expertise and capabilities numerous times, having connected more than 1 GWp of utility-scale solar power plants all over the world. Since July 2012, the company has installed GE’s advanced central inverter utilizing PADCON’s 1,500-VDC system technology at three of its solar power plants in southern Germany. The plants deliver about 15 MWp of power, supplying more than 4,000 households and saving 10,000 tons of CO2 .

“Our solar plants in South Germany run highly efficient with the GE ProSolar central inverter; we are very happy with their performance and are meeting our goal to substantially stabilize the power grid,” says Bernard Beck, CEO of BELECTRIC. “We are now in a position to take this combined solution to BELECTRIC’s customers to make their power supply more intelligent, more economical, more reliable and more environmentally friendly.”

Inverter Technology – 1,500-VDC Capability

GE’s inverter technology has a long track record of extremely high reliability resulting from the company’s experience in the development of frequency converters for the wind energy, oil and gas as well as metals sectors and other industrial applications.

“The effort to lower the cost of energy production continues, as does the focus on renewable sources of energy. Our 1,500-VDC system is a valuable solution in meeting these efforts to achieve grid parity with photovoltaic systems in certain countries. GE offers customers technology options to support renewable energy policies and push projects that build long-term energy security using solar energy,” said Stefan Franko, leader of renewables for GE Power Conversion. “Reducing the costs of solar electricity generation through continuous innovation forms the basis for GE’s long-term technology development strategy.”

About BELECTRIC

BELECTRIC is one of the most successful international enterprises in the development and construction of utility scale ground-mounted solar power plants and roof-mounted photovoltaic systems. As an international company, BELECTRIC is represented in 20 countries. Its position as technology leader is a result of the high degree of vertical integration in the development and manufacturing processes. The combination of economical and ecological interests has always been the basis for the sustainable success of our nearly 2,000 employees. BELECTRIC demonstrates its great innovative spirit with over 100 patents pending. Alongside solar power generation, BELECTRIC Drive® concentrates on the combination of photovoltaics and e-mobility. Further information can be found at www.belectric.com.

About PADCON

PADCON GmbH has specialized in energy distribution systems, plant monitoring, and plant communication. The comprehensive product portfolio contains solutions for roof-mounted photovoltaic systems and for solar power plants worldwide. PADCON was founded in 2007 in Kitzingen, Germany, where it has since grown to 90 employees. High quality standards and the exclusive use of premium components guarantee a long service life, safe operation, and high levels of efficiency. The comprehensive PADCON range of products offers custom tailored components and solutions for every project. Incl. partial string combiner boxes, inverter stations for complete plant monitoring and solar power plant control.

GE’s Power Conversion business applies the science and systems of power conversion to help drive the electrification of the world’s energy infrastructure by designing and delivering advanced motor, drive and control technologies that evolve today’s industrial processes for a cleaner, more productive future. Serving specialized sectors such as energy, marine, oil and gas, renewables and industry, through customized solutions and advanced technologies, GE Power Conversion partners with customers to maximize efficiency. Follow GE’s Power Conversion business on Twitter @GE_PowerConvers and on Linkedin.

About GE

GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.

Read More About Our Industries

Power Conversion

GE's Power Conversion business applies the science and systems of power conversion to help drive the electric transformation of the world's energy infrastructure. Designing and delivering advanced motor, drive and control technologies that evolve today's industrial processes for a cleaner, more productive future, it serves specialized sectors such as energy, marine, industry and all related services.